Maximizing Profit: Solving Polynomial for MP3 Player Ad Expenses

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves maximizing profit for an MP3 player based on a polynomial equation representing profit in relation to advertising expenses. The original poster seeks to find the ad expense that yields a specific profit target.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the difficulty of factoring the polynomial and consider whether an approximate solution might be sufficient. Some suggest using a graphing calculator to visualize the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the possibility of approximate solutions and the use of calculators to assist in finding answers. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the constraints of the problem, including the specific profit target and the range of ad expenses. There is uncertainty regarding the feasibility of factoring the polynomial.

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Homework Statement



P is profit in dollars of a particular mp3 player.

P = -76x^3 + 4830x^2 - 320000, 0 < x < 60

x is ad expense (in tens of thousands of $.) Find the smaller of two ad amounts that yield a profit of $2,500,000.



The attempt at a solution

All I can do is get this:

-76x^3 + 4830x^2 - 2,820,000 = 0

Now what do I do? I can't seem to factor. The only other way I know of is dividing by possible zeros, and I'm not feeling good about looking for the factors of 2.82 million.
 
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I'm pretty sure it doesn't factor. Are you sure you aren't just supposed to give an approximate answer?
 
I don't know but that'll have to do. There doesn't seem to be another way.
 
-boo boo-
sorry.
 
Last edited:
Dick said:
In what way does this contribute to helping the OP solve the problem on his own?

Oh my apologies...

*removes post*.
 
matadorqk said:
Oh my apologies...

*removes post*.

Thanks. You do get my point, right? I'm not trying to criticize your wish to help.
 
Last edited:
Yea, the best I can think of is the approximate answer as well.

I just used a brute method on my calculator to narrow it down. You may want to use a graphing calculator(available online) to see what the graph looks like at least.
 

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